Success tips when doing business in Afghanistan

1. At most shops in Afghanistan, bargaining is expected. Showing emotion, leaving and coming back and asking around until prices go down are all common behavior. Shop owners may even come find you if they are willing to give you a lower price than others;
2. Because Afghanistan companies are not as well-versed with international business and Western law practices, we encourage our Clients to consistently use and sign contracts of service;
3. Hiring reliable and experienced workers that speak fluent English is difficult, especially with governmental restrictions on the number of foreign workers allowed in companies. Healy Consultants can assist our Clients in its Human Resource needs by placing advertisements in the major newspapers like the Daily Afghanistan and Bakhtar News Agency when helping Clients with business registration in Afghanistan;
4. As Islam is the predominant religion in Afghanistan, the holy month of Ramadan is observed, with fasting practiced by nearly all Afghans. Foreigners are not expected to fast, though they are expected to not eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum in public. Be prepared for many Afghan businesses to be closed or for normal operations to slow down for several days;
5. Islam culture is also pervasive in other ways. The call to prayer is heard 5 times a day and nearly all Afghan citizens will stop to pray during these times. Also, free mixing of genders only occurs within the family. Women are expected to dress conservatively and to avoid making eye contact with men, while men should not initiate social conversations with women that are not their wives. Men and women should never touch each other under any circumstances;
6. When you are incorporating in Afghanistan, it is important to find out what Afghan registrations and licenses apply to your firm. This can be a complex area, as local, state, territory, and federal governments handle registration and licensing for various aspects of your business.

Interesting facts about Afghanistan

1. Afghanistan celebrates the New Year, which they call Nawroz, on March 21^st;
2. The largest-city in Afghanistan, Kabul, has a population of 3.2 million;
3. Poetry is very important to Afghanistan culture. In Herat, it is common for large groups to gather on Thursday nights to share verses of old and new poetry;
4. The national game of Afghanistan is called Buzkashi. The sport involves two teams of players riding on horses attempting to grab a goat;
5. When Afghanistan was under Taliban rule, women and girls were restricted from going to school, working outside the home and leaving the home unless accompanied by a male relative.